Worth it to buy Parasound amp that needs fixing?

pglbook

I saw an ad today for a Parasound HCA 1200 amp close to me and the price ($175) is very reasonable. But that is because it has some issues and would need some work.
I know very little about electronics and was wondering if it would be worth it for me to buy it and get it fixed. Is it an easy fix? It would be great if a little deoxit would do the trick but I do not know. I'd appreciate any thoughts from those with some electronics expertise. Thanks.
Here is the ad from the Seller:

Here is the ad:
"Parasound HCA-1200 High Current Audio Amp, 200 watts RMS. Left volume knob needs cleaned, works fine at medium to high volumes, but randomly cuts out at low volumes, adjusting the volume corrects it. I purchased it new."

gdb

Then, there's this : http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?145298-My-used-separates-nightmare-(or-how-I-went-Emo)&highlight=separates

disneyjoe7

Giving trouble I would buy thinking it just a dirty volume pot. Hoping I wasn't screwed in the end.

gudnoyez

Offer him $125 if he takes it, you could try hoping its a dirty volume pot, if that don't do it send it off to big sky and have it serviced for years of trouble free service. What would you use for a pre? I'am guessing you got cold feet on the purchase of that Adcom set up.

kuntasensei

I'm the guy in gdb's link. All things considered, it's a roll of the dice. But like with dice, when you win, it's worth it.

The HCA-1200's internals look pretty straight forward. If it were me, I would e-mail Adcom and give them a description of the problem first in case they throw you a laundry list of possible causes. If they tell you it's probably something simple, rolling the dice may be worth it. But if they throw a list of possible causes at you, I wouldn't buy it unless you had the money to invest in fixing it. And given what those amps usually go for used, if you spend more than $150 to get it back in shape, you're running into "could've bought something else" territory.

(Don't pay too much attention to me getting 3 bad amps in a row. I may well be cursed. Heh...)

pglbook

Thanks for all your input.
Gudnoyez, yes I decided to pass on the Adcom pre and power amp combo because, from the feedback I got, it sounded like the pre was not that outstanding and would be something I would have to upgrade in the future. I'd rather get a nicer pre up front than buy a substandard pre and have to upgrade in the future. I'd like to get a nice power amp, like a Parasound HCA 1200 or Adcom GFA 555, and then get a nice pre that would be a good match for the power amp. I think it is also best to get equipment without issues because one never knows if it is an easy fix or if it will be a nightmare. I, too, have had bad experiences with fixing amps. In my case, a Yamaha CR 2020 receiver that spent 6 months in a recommned local repair shop and the technician could never figure out what was causing a loud intermittent popping sound in the amp. After 6 months and changing various transistors (he could never figure out what transistors were bad), he just gave up and refunded my money. I guess I learned my lesson there about buying equipment with issues. Thanks again for all of the feedback.

DaveHo

If it is just a dirty pot on the Parasound, $175 would turn out to be quite a deal. I'd probably take the chance if I could demo it & confirm the seller's description of the problem. Never hurts to offer a little less & see where it goes from there.

Regarding the Adcom pair, though the pre is not a stellar unit, it would certainly get you by until something else comes along. You could use the pre for a bit & flip it on eBay or C/L. I doubt you'd lose money in the deal.

cfrizz

I personally would not knowingly buy something that I knew up front wasn't working and would then have to pay more money to have fixed and then hope I got lucky and that it last a while. That is more aggravation than it's worth to me.

ZLTFUL

If I was closer to it, I would buy it. But then I am comfortable doing repair work myself.
That being said, it could be a bad/going bad pot vs just a dirty one.

gudnoyez

I think you should get that Adcom set up deal with the pre for a while save up for a better preamp, then sell the other one. Your SDA'S are already upgraded. If your heart is set for a Parasound 1200 then play the waiting game one will show up sooner or later. I think Big Sky will refurbish them for about 3 and a half bills, which would probably be a good idea down the road even if it is in working condition.

soundfreak1

The parasound sound like it could be a output relay, ( not uncommon in tje 1200) no big deal about a 100.00 to replace all + labor. However u should be able to get a good one for around 300.00 350.00 max so its allmost a push.it is a great amp imho and be moddes nicely.but with iasues unproven offer 100/125 and give yourself room or just but another.i highly recomend the amp in general!see sig.

pglbook

Thanks again for all the feedback. I have decided it is best to wait for a nice amp with no issues rather than rush into something and hope for the best. What initially is a good deal could easily turn into a nightmare if fix is not that easy. I think it is best to be patient and spend more for one in great shape rather than buy one with issues and hope for the best. My preference in a power amp is for the Parasound HCA 1200 as I have heard great things about that amp and also hear it is an exellent match for Polk SDA 2Bs. Time is on my side because I am not in a rush. My Yamaha CR 2020 is currently doing a great job with my SDA 2Bs so I will wait until the right Parasound HCA 1200 finds me. Thanks again. Love this site and the fellow Polkies on here. You are all the best!